Production Manager
£55,000 - £65,000
Day Shift
Are you a forward-thinking leader with a passion for manufacturing excellence? We are recruiting for a Production Manager to oversee the operations of a state-of-the-art production facility. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a major industry transformation, leading a high-performing team through construction, commissioning, and full-scale production.
Why Join?
* Be a key player in an exciting industry shift – you’ll be instrumental in setting up and optimising a cutting-edge production operation.
* Lead a growing team – develop and inspire a workforce of 400+ people, shaping the future of the site.
* Work with the latest technology – from advanced machines to digital monitoring systems, you’ll be at the forefront of innovation.
* Excellent career growth opportunities – with significant investment in the site, this role offers long-term progression in a dynamic environment.
Your Responsibilities:
Health & Safety Leadership:
* Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, promoting a safety-first culture across the site.
Project Involvement:
* Play a crucial role in the construction and commissioning of the new machines, working closely with project teams and equipment manufacturers to ensure a smooth start-up.
Operational Excellence:
* Oversee the full production process, ensuring output targets, quality standards, and budgets are met.
Team Leadership & Development:
* Lead, coach, and develop a team of managers and production staff.
* Drive employee engagement and performance management initiatives.
* Implement training programmes to build technical expertise and leadership capability within the team.
Performance Optimisation:
* Work closely with OEM suppliers to optimise tissue machine performance and achieve world-class operational efficiency.
* Implement continuous improvement and lean manufacturing techniques to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
Budget & Cost Control:
* Manage budgets effectively, ensuring cost efficiency within the papermill operations.
* Align financial planning with wider company objectives.
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Working:
* Work alongside engineering, maintenance, finance, HR, and site leadership to drive operational success.
* Support reliability and maintenance strategies to ensure maximum uptime and efficiency.
* Utilise advanced digital reporting tools for data-driven decision-making.
What We’re Looking For:
To be successful in this role, you’ll need:
* A degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Paper-Making (essential).
* 5+ years’ senior leadership experience in tissue or paper manufacturing.
* Strong leadership skills – the ability to engage, inspire, and drive high performance.
* Experience working with tissue/papermaking machinery, including start-up and optimisation.
* Proven experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and cost control.
* A problem-solving mindset – able to work under pressure and make strategic decisions.
* IT proficiency, including experience with SAP and digital reporting tools.
* A hands-on, results-driven approach – someone who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Working Conditions & Additional Information:
* Initially based onsite in a portacabin during the construction phase.
* Regular UK and overseas travel may be required to liaise with suppliers and partners.
* This is a day shift role, overseeing a large production team of 400+ people